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190 active wildfires burning in Ontario, 146 located in northwestern region, according to provincial officials.
The province also confirmed a total of 13 new fires have been discovered in the northwest region:
- Thunder Bay 60 (THU060) was confirmed in the evening hours of July 18 near the southwest side of Lake Nipigon near Lehtinen Lake. The 388-hecatre fire is being observed.
- Dryden 39 (DRY039) is located in the southern end of Wabakimi Provincial Park between Seseganaga Lake and Wapikaimaski Lake. The 5.0-hectare fire is not under control.
- Dryden 40 (DRY040) and Dryden 41 (DRY041) are located north of Wapikaimaski Lake near Antler Lake. The two fires measure 3.5-hectares and 0.1-hectares respectively and are not under control.
- Dryden 42 (DRY042) is located near the south end of Gastmeier Lake, west of Toque Road. The 1.0-hectare fire is not under control.
- Fort Frances 42 (FOR042) was located approximately 23 kilometres northeast of Atikokan, near Dunnet Lake. The fire was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Fort Frances 43 (FOR043) is located approximately 1.2 kilometres northwest of Crowrock Lake, south of White Otter Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Fort Frances 44 (FOR044) is located approximately 1.0 kilometre east of Highway 502 near Laver Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Kenora 20 (KEN020) is located on an island in Lake of the Woods, near Nola Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is being held.
- Kenora 21 (KEN021) was located on a small island east of Corkscrew Island in Lake of the Woods. The fire was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Kenora 22 (KEN022) was located south of Highway 596 between Trout Lake and Meekin Lake. The fire was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Sioux Lookout 100 (SLK100) and Sioux Lookout 101 (SLK101) are located east of South Shore Drive, south of David Lake. Both fire measure 0.1 hectares and are not under control.
On Sunday evening, the AFFES said that of the fires in the northwest region, 51 are not under control, 7 are being held , 8 are under control and 80 are being observed.
In the northeast region, the province says 46 active wildland fires are burning, out of which 6 are not under control, bringing the total wildfire count across northern Ontario up to 190.
Three new wildland fires were confirmed in the region on Sunday:
- Sudbury 29 (SUD029) was confirmed in proximity to the Chelmsford Golf Course. It measures 0.1 of a hectare and has one Ontario FireRanger crew assisting the Greater Sudbury Fire Department in addressing it.
- Cochrane 45 (COC45) is being observed roughly 120 kilometres west of the Fort Albany Airport.
- Cochrane 46 (COC46) has already been declared out at 0.1 of a hectare in size and was located on an island of Ritchie Lake, north of Hearst.
Location of evacuations
This year’s wildfire season has forced over two dozen communities and areas to evacuate in recent days, including 10 First Nations communities across northern Ontario.
This included Eabametoong First Nation, a fly-in community over 300 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. By Sunday evening, a total of 13 flights carrying most members of the First Nation had evacuated to Niagara Falls.
In a statement from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), a spokesperson stressed the department’s concern about how the wildfires may be impacting the health, safety and well-being of people in First Nations.
“We know emergencies like these can be stressful and disruptive for individuals, families and communities,” an ISC statement said.
“Timely evacuations help protect lives and well-being, and we recognize the efforts of First Nation leadership as they work diligently to protect their members. ISC is working closely with First Nations leadership, Ontario and emergency management partners to support the immediate and evolving needs of impacted communities.”
On Friday morning, the province issued an evacuation order for an area near the Fort Frances 14 fire, which is slightly more than 55,000 hectares in size and was not under control as of Saturday morning.
People in the area of Baril, Bedivere and Windigoostigwan lakes and Lac des Mille Lacs have been told to leave immediately, unless they have a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRF).
Sunday morning, the province also put into effect an expanded evacuation order for areas near Armstrong, north and east of Lake Nipigon, due to the fires known as Thunder Bay 36, 54 and 56 as well as Dryden 34 and 35.
A map shows the newest evacuation order issued by the province due to wildfires in northwestern Ontario, as of Sunday morning, covering an expanded area near Armstrong. (Aviation, Forest Fires and Emergency Services)
Further evacuations expected
Several other communities and areas that have also been told about potential evacuations include:
- Quetico.
- Crystal Lake.
- Atikokan.
- Niobi Lake.
- Pickle Lake.
- Ignace.
- Upsala.
- Ramsay Wright.
- Trottier.
- Weaver.
On Saturday, the Canadian Red Cross said it was setting up a response team at the Fort Williams Garden Arena in Thunder Bay to help evacuees.
This reception centre in Thunder Bay is preparing to accept people who have left their homes because of wildfires. There are nearly 200 beds. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)
Speaking at a press conference in Thunder Bay on Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed over 155 fire crews are on the ground helping in the efforts, with more than 80 aircraft deployed.
He said 40 additional aircraft were on standby for suppression efforts, while warning those affected by the wildfires against returning to campsites and homes if they’ve been ordered to evacuate.
The AFFES confirmed additional support, including helicopters, aircraft and aerial support personnel, had arrived from Alberta and Yukon.
Cancellations, suspensions and closures
On Sunday, the City of Thunder Bay said with air quality in the city is expected to improve in the coming days, a number of facilities will reopen.
City crew are expected to resume outdoor work with enhanced health and safety measures, including respiratory protection where appropriate and more frequent breaks.
As of Sunday, the following service changes are also in effect:
- The Splash Pads at County Park, Franklin Street, North End Park and the Northwood Playfield are open.
- Golf courses will monitor air quality throughout the day and will open when conditions improve. Golfers with tee times will be contacted directly. Updates will also be posted on site and through the city’s social media channels when the courses are fully open.
Collection crews are also working to pick up garbage from business and multi-residential units throughout Sunday and Monday. Residential garbage collection is expected to resume its regular schedule this week.
However, outdoor pools, beaches and the Marina Park/Prince Arthur’s Landing splash pad will remain closed.
Essential city services, including transit and emergency services, are running.
